Alarm control for time alarm



oct. 17, 1961 P. A. SIDELL ET AL 3,004,380

ALARM CONTROL FOR TIME ALARM Filed June 19, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct.17, 1961 P. A. SIDELL ETAL 3,004,380

ALARM CONTROL FOR TIME ALARM Filed June 19, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct.17, 1961 P. A. slDr-:LL ETAL ALARM CONTROL FOR TIME ALARM 5 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed June 19, 1959 arent @thee 3,004,380 Patented Oct. 17, 1961Sdiddl? ALARM CONTRL FDR TEME ALARM Philip A. Sidell, West Hartford,George N. Kaniwec, Southington, and @scar B. Burgeson, Bristol, Conn.,assignors to The Ingraham Company, ristol, Conn., a corporation ofConnecticut v Filed June 19, 1959, Ser. No. 821,590 1S Claims. 15S-2112)f This invention relates yto time alarms in general, and

to on-and-off controls for time alarms in particular.

Prior time alarms of the general type to which the present inventionrelates have dual actuators which are i independently movable intoalarm-on and alarm-olf posialarm is customarily turned olf as desired bythe manual shut-off. The available long automatic alarm period,

. while assuredly affording even the longest uninterrupted alarm time orcycle possibly desired by anyone, is further advantageous for theintroduction in the time alarm of .the Well-known feature, hereaftersimply referred to as deze alarm, which provides for temporary manualalarm shut-olf and automatic resumption of they alarm a predeterminedtime thereafter, even repeatedly, Within the available automatic alarmperiod. y

.it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a timealarm of this type which requires only a 'single alarm actuator, yet hasany or all of the aforementioned functional features of ther prior timealarms of this type, thereby in any event reducing the number of partsof the time alarm and simplifying its construction and assembly, withensuing savings in cost.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a time alarm ofthis type in which the aforementioned single alarm actuator is movableinto an alarm-on position and an alarm-off position and normally urgedinto its alarm-on position, and to make provisions for arresting theactuator in its alarm-olf position and automatically to release the sameat the preset valarm time by the ction of the aforementioned alarmcontrol member, as well as to condition the actuator by the action ofthis same control member a predetermined time period thereafter forsubsequent rearrest on its return at anytime to its alarm-off position.This arrangement will not only permit an uninterrupted alarm cycle theduration of which may be entirely kindependent of the timing mechanismand exclusively controlled manually, but will also permit readyadaptation of the aforementioned doze alarm feature as well as severalother alarm cycle features hitherto unattainable with the customary dualalarm actuators.

rlt is a further object of the present inventiony to provide a timealarm of this type in which the single alarm actuator' is during anautomatic alarm period movable, manually and in addition to itsmovability into the aforementioned alarm on and off positions, out ofits alarm-on position and into locking engagement with a time-drivenholding member for its release therefrom and return to alarm-on positionafter the lapse of a certain drive period of this holding member. Withthis arrangement, there are achieved, by the action of the single alarmactuator, not only an automatic start of the alarm at any preset timeand its duration for any desired period, but the aforementioneddozealarm as well.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a time alarm ofthis typerwith a main shut-off member which is manually movable intoyan, operative position to cam the single alarm actuator into and lockit in its alarmoif position, and into an inoperative position to unlockthe same from the alarm actuator, with this main shut-olf member furtheracting, on its movement rst into operative position and then intoinoperative position, to retract the alarm actuator from lockingengagement with the aforementioned holding member and release it forreturn to its alarm-on position. Thus, the main shut-off member servesnot only for the usual purpose` of stopping the alarm at any time andfor any length of time, but serves also to defeat any deze alarm whenconditioned for operation by resuming the alarm at any time before thedoze alarm would start.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a time alarm ofthis type in which the aforementioned alarm control member mayadvantageously be a wellknown cam disc which is axially shifted back andforth by the alarm time setting membenand the single'alarm actuator isprovided with a fulcrum for its rocking movement in follower cooperationwith this cam disc for its release in alarm-off position at the presetalarm time and conditioning for its rearrest on subsequent return toitsalarm-off position on the one hand, and for sliding movement on itsfulcrum in different directions into its alarm on and off positions aswell as into andy from interlocking engagement with the aforementionedholding member on the other hand. v f f lt is another object of thepresent invention to provide a time alarm of this type in which thesingle alarm actuator is a longitudinal part with its aforementionedfulcrum extending longitudinally thereof and restingy on an endplate ofthe time alarm, with one end of the fulcrum having with the endplate aoating pivot connection permitting universal sliding movement of thesame on this endplate, without interfering with the rocking movement ofthe actuator in follower relation with the aforementioned cam disc, andwithin limits adequate for the aforementioned independent movability ofthe `actuator into its alarm on and off positions and into and fromlocking engagement with the holding member. Thus,'the alarm actuator maynot only be moved into its numerous positions with av minimum of simpleguide structure to that end, but may also be moved into its alarm-olfposition from any of its other positions by the aforementioned mainshut-ott member which for its most direct and unfailing performance onthe actuator in any of its positions is arranged advantageously incooperative relation with the fulcrum thereof at its floating pivot end.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a time alarmof this type in which the aforementioned holding member may be a cammember in general,

rand either a worm-type member or a spur gear-type member in particular,with the alarm actuator having a suitable follower such as a singletooth or a rack for temtype or spur gear-type holding member.

Other objects and advantages will appear to thosek skilled in the artfrom the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

in the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out thepresent invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

FIG. l is a fragmentary View, partly in section, of a time alarmembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section through the time alarm taken sub stantially on theline 2-2 of FIG. 1;y

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary lview of the time alarm as seen in the directionof the arrow 3` in FIG. `1;

FIGS. 4k and 5 are views of the time alarm similar to FIGS. 1 and 2,respectively, but showing certain operating and control parts of thetime alarm in different positions;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the time alarm similar to FIG. 3, butshowing certain operating and control parts of the time alarm indifferent positions;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of the time alarm similar to FIGS. and 4,respectively, but showing certain operating and control parts of thetime alarm in still other different positions;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section through a time alarm embodying thepresent invention in a modified marmer; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section through a time alarm embodying thepresent invention in a further modified manner.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 8thereof, the reference numeral 20 designates a movement presently of aclock, having a time alarm 22. The movement 20 comprises front and rearplates 24 and 216 which are held spaced apart by pillars 28, and whichsupport the various operating parts of the movement and time alarm.Thus, the prime mover of the movement, presently a synchronous motor 30,is mounted in back of the rear plate 26 through intermediation of thepillars 28 and spacers 32. Mounted in the front plate 24 are a pluralityof nested time shafts or sleeves, of which an outermost alarm shaft 34is directly mounted in the front plate 24 for rotation against afriction washer 36 to set an alarm hand to any desired alarm time on atime dial (neither shown). Independently turnable in the alarm shaft 34is an hour shaft 38 in which a minute shaft 4t) is independentlyturnable, the nested shafts being further turnable on a fixed arbor 42on the rear plate 26. The output shaft 44 of the synchronous motor 30 isoperatively connected with the minute shaft 4i) through a suitablereduction gear train 46, including a gear 48, which in the presentinstance drives the minute shaft 46 through one complete revolution inan hours time. A conventional gear train 50 of twelve-to-one speedreduction operatively connects the minute shaft 40 with the hour shaft38, this gear train including a loose pinion S2 on a manually turnablealarm-setting shaft S4 and a meshing gear disc 56 which is carried bythe hour shaft 38 (FIGS. 1 to 3). Accordingly, the hour shaft 38 is, inthe present instance, driven through one-twelfth of a revolution foreach complete revolution of the minute shaft 40. |Ihe present movementalso includes conventional provisions (not shown) for setting the hourand minute shafts 38 and 40.

'Ihe alarm shaft 34 carries a gear disc 58, presently of the samediameter as the adjacent gear disc 56 on the hour shaft 38, which is inmesh with a pinion 60 (FIG. 3) on the setting shaft 54 by means of whichthe customary hand on the alarm shaft 34 may be set to a desired alarmtime.

The movement described so far is entirely conventional and forms no part`of the present invention except as it enters into combinationtherewith.

The time alanm 22 includes a conventional electromagnetically impulsedresilient vibrator or reed 62 which emits an audible alarm sound or buzzon being vibrated against a iield plate 64 of the motor 30 by magneticleakage ux therefrom. To this end, the vibrator' 62 is presently pivotedat 66 in the rear plate 26 for swinging motion into the alarm-Cif andalarm-on positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, respectively, in which thesame does not respond, respectively does respond, to leakage iiux fromthe motor, the vibrator 62 being normally urged by a spring 68 into itsalarm-off position in which it rests against the rear plate 26.. Thespring 68 is presently L- shaped and anchored with its shorter leg 7.0to the rear plate 26, and has an integral leg 72l bearing against a stem74 to preload the spring. The vibrator 62 has a relatively stiffdepending arm 76 with which to swing the vibrator into its alarm-onposition.

The time alarm 22 also includes the gear discs 56 and 58 on the hour andalarm shafts 38 and 34, of which the driven disc 56 together with thehour shaft 38 are at the set alarm time shifted axially in conventionalmanner to start an alarm cycle of the vibrator 62. To this end, the disc58 on the alarm shaft 34 is provided with cam means, presently twodiametrically opposite, inclined cam lugs 78 and 80 which are struckfrom this disc at different radial distances from its center axis, andwhich are adapted to cooperate with arcuate slots 82 and 84,respectively, in the adjacent driven companion disc 56 on the hour shaft38. The slots 82 and 84 are at the same different radial distances fromthe center axis of the disc F6 as are the respective cam lugs 78 and 8Gfrom the axis of the disc 58, wherefore these slots will operativelyalign with their respective cam lugs only once during each revolution ofthe hour shaft 38, i.e., once every twelve hous, and permit the disc 56with the hour shaft 38 to move from the retracted position in FIG. 1into the projected position in FIG. 4. With the disc 56 on the hourshaft 38 being driven in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 2and 5, it stands to reason that this disc will, on movement into itsprojected position (FIGS. 4 and 5), remain in this position for a timeperiod depending on the arcuate lengths of its slots 82 and 84, the camlugs 78 and 89 on the set alarm disc S8 then camming the disc 56 intoits retracted position on the continued drive of the latter with thehour shaft 38. The disc 56 and hour shaft 38 are normally urged into theprojected position in FIG. 4 by means described hereinafter.

The alarm disc 58 and the time-driven companion disc 56 with their camlugs 78 and 80 and slots 82 and 84, hereinafter sometimes referred to asthe automatic alarm control 88, are adapted to perform the conventionalfunction of controlling the time start of an alarm cycle as well asanother function to be described hereinafter. The aforementioned stem 74is an alarm shut-off plunger manually operable to terminate an alarmcycle at any time and render the automatic alarm control 88 inoperativelor operative for any length of time.

In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, theoperating connection which links both, the automatic alarm control 88and the alarm shut-olf plunger 74 with the vibrator 62, is a singleactuator 98 which presently is in the form of a plate having alongitudinal axis x-x (FIG. 2). This plate is formed with integral lugor leg formations 92, 94, 96 and 98 (FIGS. l to 3), of which the legformations 92 and 94 serve as a longitudinal fulcrum for the actuator 90with which the latter rests, and is also rockable as well as movable, onthe front plate 241. The lug formation 96 on the actuator 90 serves as afollower to cooperate with the axially shiftable disc 56 of theautomatic alarm control 88 in rocking the actuator on the front plate 24(FIGS. 3 and 6). Finally, the lug formation 98 on the actuator 90 ispart of a device 100 for arresting the actuator in a certain alarm-offposition (FIGS. l and 2) and for releasing the same for movement into acertain alarm-on position (FIGS. 4 and 5), this arresting device furtherproviding a lock shoulder 102, presently formed by an edge of a slot 104in the front plate 24, with which the actuator lug 98 is in lockingengagement in the alarm-off position of the actuator (FIGS. 1 and 2).When the actuator 98 is in its alarm-off position, an operating finger186 thereof is retracted from the arm 76 of the vibrator 62 which isthen in its inoperative position. The actuator lug 98 is thus held inlocking engagement with the shoulder 162 when the actuator 90, under thecontrol of the retracted disc 56 of the automatic alarm control 88,assumes the rock position in FIG. 3, and the actuator is released in itsalarm-off position lfor movement into its alarm-on position when theactuator rocks in follower ator 90 is thus released in its alarm-oftyposition by the action of the automatic alarm control 88the actuatorwill by a spring 108 be advanced into its alarm-on position (FiGS. 4 and5) in which its operating iinger 106 engages the .arm 76 of the vibrator62 and rocks the latter into its operative or alarm-sounding position.The alarm cycle may `then be terminated on certain manipulation oftheshut-oi plunger 7-4, resulting in retraction of the actuator 90 intoits alarm-orf position and, hence, re-

traction of its operatingkinger 106 from the arm 76 of the vibrator 62and ensuing spring-return of the latter to its inoperative or alarm-offposition (FIG. l).

The actuator 90 is guided 'for linear movement into its alarm-on andalarm-ott positions. To this end, an extension or detent 110 on thefulcrum leg 92 of the actuator projects into a presently linear slot1.12 in the front plate 24, and the other fulcrum leg 94 of the actuatoris urged by the action of the spring 108 against a guide lug 114 whichis conveniently struck from the front plate 24. To hold the resilientvibrator 62 in proper operating position for a satisfactory buzzingsound (FIG. 4), the actuator 90 in its alarm-on position bears with itsfulcrum leg 9'4 against a stop 116 which is conveniently struck from thefront plate 24 (FIGS. 3 and 5). The action spring 108, which ispreloaded, is anchored with its ends to a bent-up finger 118 on theactuator 90 and in a slot 120 in the front plate 24. This spring 108 isso inclined to the longitudinal actuator axis x-x as well as to thefront plate 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that it has componentrforces urging theactuator 90 into its alarm-on position and against the guide lug 114, aswell as into follower relation with the disc 56 of the automatic alarmcontrol 88 and also into rest on the front plate 24.

The alarm shut-oft plunger 74 is guided in the rear plate 26 and in aledge 122 conveniently struck from the front plate 24 and overlying thefulcrum extension 110 on the actuator 90. The shut-off plunger` 74, whenin its retracted position (FIGS. l and 4) in which it is yieldingly heldby the spring leg 72, does not in any way interfere with the movement ofthe actuator 90 into its alarm-on position. However, when the actuator90 is in its alarm-on position (FIG. 4), the plunger 74 will, on manualinward movement into a projected position in which its annular shoulder124 bears against the ledge 122, cam the actuator from its alarm-onposition into its alarm-H position and lock the same in this position,the fulcrum extension 110` on the actuator 90 being to this end providedwith a cam edge 126, and the end of the plunger 74 being preferablyperipherally groovedfat 128 for releasable interlock with the roundededge 129 of the fulcrum extension 110 of the actuator in the alarm-olfposition of the latter. j

Withy the movement 20 in operation and the disc 58 of the automaticalann control 8S set for a certain alarm time, and with the actuator 90arrested in its alarm-oit" position and the shut-off plunger 74 in itsretracted position (FIGS. l to 3), everything is set for the ala-rm tosound at the present time. At that time, the slots 82 and S4 in thedriven disc 56 of the automatic alarm control 88 will come into fullalignment with the respective cam lugs 78 and 80 in the set alarm disc58 (FIG. 5), with the result that the disc 56 will, under the urgency ofthe action spring 108 and through intermediation of the actuator 90, bemovedfaxially into its projected position with the actuator followingfor retraction of its lug 98 from locking engagement with the shoulder102 (FIG.

6). The now released actuator 90 will quickly be springadvanced `intoits alarm-on position, bringing the vibrator 62 into and holding it inits operating position (FIG. 4) for an audible buzz alarm. The alarmcycle may at any time be terminated by simply pushing the shut-oliplunger 74 into its aforementioned projected position with ensuo ingretraction of the actuator into its alarm-oit position. If at that timethe driven disc 56 of the automatic alarm control 88 has not yet beenshifted back into its retracted position by the cam lugs 78 and 80 onthe set alarm disc `58 (FIG. l), the actuator 90 will on its return toalarm-off position not become arrested by the described arresting devicesince the actuator lug 98 is then still clear of the front plate 24(FIG. 6). However, with the shut-olf plunger 74 in its inner orprojected position holding the actuator 90 locked in t its alarm-olfposition, the actuator lug 98 will be returned into locking engagementwith the shoulder i102 when the actuator follows the disc 56 on itssubsequent return into retracted position (FIGS. l and 3). Should theshut-olf plunger 74 not be pushed into its projected position by thetime the disc I56 of the automatic alarm control 88 is returned into itsretracted position, the alarm willcontinue to sound until the plunger 74is pushed into its projected position. This is due to the fact that theprior return of the disc 56 into its retracted position will merely rockthe actuator with its arresting lug 98 against the front plate (FIG. 5),but not into the slot 104 therein with which it is then rout ofalignment, and will thus `merely condition the kractuator for arrest bythe shoulder 102 on its subsequent return into alarm-oft` position.

As already mentioned, the time period in each twelve hours during whichthe driven disc 56' of the automatic alarm control SS'will remain in itsprojected position depends on the arcuate lengths of the slots S2 and 84in this disc, and this time period, :hereinafter referred to as theautomatic alarm period, may for present practical purposes vary from afew minutes to half an hour, for eX- almple. With each alarm :cyclepresently terminated solely by the action of the shut-off plunger 74,the latter will have to remain in its projected or actuator-lockingposition for over twelve hours following each alarm in order to preventa repeat alarm every twelve hours, as will be readily understood. Hence,it is only after the lapse of the rst twelve hours from the shut-olf ofthe last alarm, and usually at bedtime, that the shut-oil plunger 74isretracted to condition the alarm for its next cycle, under the automaticcontrol 88, twenty-four hours after the ,start of the last alarm cycleplus or minus such time as is involved if the alarm has been set for adifferent time in the meantime. l

Another important aspect of the present invention is the incorporationin the present movement of a doze alarm the control of which is alsooperatively linked with the vibratorv 62 solely by the same single,actuator 90. VThis doze alarm control 130 includes a holding member 132for the actuator 90, the holding member 132 being presently in the form`of a time-driven wormwith which a single tooth 134 on the actuator 90is adapted to mesh for its ride thereon for a predetermined length oftime and then run-off therefrom, for resumption of the alarm afterthesame length of time from its last manual shutolf by means other than themain shut-oit plunger 74. To this end, the holding worm 132 is freelyturntable, and presently also axially slidable, on a shaft 131 which ismounted in the front and rear plates 24 and 26, and

this worm is also provided with a pinion 136 for its drive k24k formovement, presently radially of the nested shafts 34, 38 and 40. To thisend, the inner slotted end 144 of the s1ide'142 is guided on a collarformation 146 on the ralarm shaft 34, and the slide 142 further has apin and slot connection 148, 150 with the front plate 24, the pin 143being presently projecting from the front plate 24 and the slot 150being provided in the slide 142. A spring 152, presently anchored withits ends to the pin 148 and to a struck-up lug 154 on the slide 142,normally urges the latter into the retracted or home position shown in'lf-1G. 2. The slide 142, which for its manual inward motion into theoperative position shown in FIG. 7 has a terminal end 156 for thereception of a suitable handle or knob (not shown), is also providedwith a `conveniently upturned shoulder 158 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) which inany rocking position of the actuator 90 is in operative alignment withan arm 160 on the latter.

Assuming now that the operating and control parts of the alarm systemassume the positions shown in FIGS. l to 3, it is apparent that thealarm, presently solely under the automatic control 88, is a few minutesolf the set alarm time due to the near alignment of the slots 82 and S4in the disc 56 with the cam lugs 78 and 80 on the companion disc 53(FIG. 2). After the lapse of these few minutes, the slots S2 and 84 inthe driven disc 56 will come into full alignment with the respective camlugs 78 and 80 on the set alarm disc 58 (FIGS. 4 and 5), with the resultthat the alarm will go on, the vibrator 62 then being swung to itsoperative position. The user of the time alarm, on awakening soon afterthe start of the alarm at the preset time, may wish to avail himself orherself of the doze alarm rather than terminate the alarm cycle bypushing in the shut-off plunger 74. In that case, the user merelydepresses the slide 142 momentarily, and in so doing shifts the actuator90 from its alarm-on position into meshing engagement with the holdingworm 132 in which the actuator is held in an alarm shut-off position(FIGS. 7 and 8). The worm 132 then being in its starting position (FIGS.l and 4), the same will by the meshing actuator tooth 134 be graduallycammed axially until it reaches the end position in FIG. 8, at whichtime the actuator tooth 134 will ride off the worm, permitting theaction spring S to return the actuator 90 to its alarm-on position (FIG.5) for a resumption of the alarm. The user of the time alarm may, in thepresent instance, repeat this doze alarm cycle as often as ispermissible within the automatic alarm period afforded by the automaticalarm control 88. That the number of possible doze alarm repeat cyclesis necessarily limited and depends on the automatic alarm period followsfro-m the fact that the actuator 90, while in mesh with the worm 132, isin the present instance also in operative alignment with the arrestingslot 104 in the front plate 24\(FIGS. 7 and 8), so that on or after thenext return of the time-driven disc 56 to its retracted position theactuator will in any event become locked to the arresting shoulder 102,if not during a doze alarm cycle then at the start of one. For example,the arrangement may be such that the automatic alarm period aorded bythe automatic alarm control 88 is somewhat over half an hour, and therunning time of the actuator tooth 134 on the worm 132 is approximately10 minutes, in which case three successive doze alarm cycles would bepossible if each alarm were interrupted fairly elogi after its start bymomentary depression of the slide It follows from FIGS. 5 and 7 that theactuator 90, in its movement from alarm-on position into mesh with theholding worm '132, is shifted not only longitudinally of its axis x-xbut additionally transversely thereof, the shoulder 158 on the slideI142 being disposed accordingly. In order to permit this additionalmotion of the actuator 90, even in any of its rocking positions on thefront plate 24, its floating detent and slot connection 110, 112 withthe front plate is additionally in the form of a universal connection byproviding adequate clearance between the detent 110 and the slot 112(FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7). Also, in order securely to retain the actuatortooth 134 in meshing or locking engagement with the worm 132 for itsfull ride thereon despite the component pull-off force of the actionspring y108 and even in case of shock or vibration, the worm 132 isriven counterclockwise (FIG. 7) so that the friction to which itsubjects the actuator tooth 134 will more than counteract this componentpull-off force ofthe action spring 108. Moreover, the actuator tooth 234is preferably curved in outline and arranged so that it will hook to theworm 132 while in mesh therewith (FIG. 7). Also, while the return spring113S of the worm 132 may be relatively weak, its force will never bepermitted to rock the actuator out of follower relation with the axiallymovable 1disc 56 by preferably arranging the tooth 134 of the actuatorin close proximity to its fulcrum leg 94 (FIGS. 7 and 8).Y To controlthe contact pressure between the actuator tooth 134- and the worm 132,an edge 133 of the actuator bears against a roller on a iixed stud 137when the actuator tooth 134 is in mesh with the worm 132 (FIG. 7).

The present time alarm has a further feature, namely manual defeat orcancellation at any time of any started doze alarm cycle. Thus, with theactuator 90 in mesh with the holding worm 132, the former may beretracted from the latter into its alarm-0E position and locked thereinon simply pushing the shut-off plunger 74 from its retracted position(FIG. 8) inwardly into camming and finally locking relation with theactuator detent 110. On the other hand, if it is desired for any reasonto resume the alarm at any time within the silent period of a doze alarmcycle, it is merely necessary to move the retracted Shut-off plunger 74partially inwardly Suiciently to cam the actuator 90 out of mesh withthe worm 132, and then immediately return this plunger to its retractedposition for release of the actuator for return to its alarm-on positionunder the urgency of the action spring 10S.

Reference is now had to FIG. 9 which shows a modiiied time alarm inwhich the arresting lug 98 on the actuator 90 is out of operativealignment with the slot 104 in the front plate 24 when the actuator isin mesh with the holding worm 132'. With this arrangement, the dozealarm cyclemay be repeated as often as desired and even for any lengthof time beyond the automatic alarm period, as will be readilyunderstood. The only way in which the alarm may be permanently stoppedis by pushing in the previously described shut-off plunger. With thisarrangement, it is also possible to defeat or cancel any started dozealarm cycle, to the end of either preventing the alarm at, or resumingthe alarm at any time priorV to, the end of the silent period of thedoze alarm cycle, on appropriate back and forth manipulation of theshut-off plunger.,

Reverting back to the time alarm of FIGS. 1 to 8, the same may, onobvious modification, be used as an automatic twenty-four hour repeatalarm. Thus, with the disc 56 of the automatic alarm control 38 driventhrough one revolution every twenty-four hours instead of every twelvehours, and with theV holding worm 132 arranged to mesh with the actuatortooth 134 for a length of time equal to, and preferably somewhat inexcess of, the automatic alarm period, the alarm system will, onshut-off of an alarm as a result of momentary depression of the slide142 and ensuing mesh of the actuator 90 with the worm 132, beconditioned for an automatic repeat alarm after a time lapse oftwenty-four hours plus or minus such time as is involved if the alarmtime setting should be changed in the meantime. `In thus shutting-olfthe alarm at anytime during the automatic alarm period, with theshut-olf plunger 74 left in its retracted position, the arresting lug 98of the actuator 90 is, by virtue 0f the mesh of the latter with the worm132, in operative alignment with the slot 104 in the front plate 24(FIG. 7), and the same will on the following return of the disc 56 intoits retracted position be moved into full registry with this slot 104 sothat it will lock with the shoulder 102 when the actuator tooth 134-rides olf the Worm 132. If perchance the alarm is by momentarydepression of the slide 142 shut-off after the lapse of they automaticalarm period, the alarm system will nevertheless be conditioned for anautomatic repeat alarm twenty-four hours after the start of thealarm'thus shut-off, since in that case the actuator is prior to thealarm shut-off conditioned for arrest on the return of the disc 56 toits retracted position, with the actuator becoming actually arrested onthe shoulder 102 simultaneously with the shutsotf of the alarm. r

While in the described time alarm 20 the holding member or elements 132of the doze alarm control 130 is in the form of a worm and thecooperating element 134 on the actuator 90 is a single tooth, theseelements of the doze alarm control may take other forms. Thus, FIG. l0.shows a modified time alarm Z" of which the holding member 132 is atime-driven pinion which cooperates with a rack part i134 of theactuator 90". The pinion i132 is in this instance axially immovable andturns with the shaft 131", the pinion being time-driven, presently inclockwise direction, for shifting the meshing actuator rack `134V in thedirection of the arrow 170 for its run-off fromthe pinion and return ofthe actuator to its alarm-on position.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than thoseherein set forth without departing from the spirit and essentialcharacteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivaiencyrange of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is: n

l. An alarm control for a time alarm with a timing mechanism, comprisingan alarm actuator movable into and from an alarm-on position andnormally urged into said position; a device for arresting said actuatorin an alarm-off position away from said alarm-on position; presettablealarm-time means adapted to be operated by said timing mechanism torelease said actuator from arrest by said device at the preset alarmtime and to condition said device a predetermined time period thereafterfor arrestingsaid actuator insaid alarm-off position only; meansoperable to return said actuator to said Aalarm-ofi. position; and meansother lthan said return means manually operable to return said actuatorinto, and lock and uniock the same in, said alarm-off position.

2. An alarm control for a time alarm with a timing mechanism, comprisinga support plate; an alarm actuator having a fulcrum resting on saidplate for rocking motion of said actuator into and from a first positionas well as for sliding vmovement of the same on said plate into alarm-onand alarm-off positions, with said actuator normally urged into saidalarm-on position; means operative to arrest said actuator only when inboth, said rst position and said alarm-off position; presettable alarmtime means, adapted to be operated by said timing mechanism andincluding a member moved toward and away from said plate with saidactuator in follower relation therewith, for rocking said actuator fromsaid first position at the preset alarm time and into said rst posi-'tion a predetermined time period thereafter; and means operable toreturn said actuator to its alarm-off position.

3. An alarm control as set forth in claim 2, in which said arrestingmeans is a detent on said actuator and shoulder means on said plate.

4.*An alarm control as set forth in claim 3, in which said shouldermeans is a wall of a slot in said plate.

5. An alarm control for a time alarm with a timing mechanism, comprisingan alarm actuator movable into and from an alarm-on position andnormally urged into said position; a device for arresting said actuatorin an alarm-off position away )from said alarm-on position; presettablealarm-time means adapted to be operated by said timing mechanism torelease said actuator from arrest by said device at the preset alarmtime and to condition said device a predetermined time period thereafterfor arresting said actuator in said alarm-off position only; a holdingmember adapted to be constantly driven by said timing device; manualmeans for moving said actuator from said alarm-on position into lockingrelation with said member for release therefrom` for return to saidalarmon position after aceitain drive period of said member; and meansoperable to return said actuator to said alarm-olf position. f

6. An alarm control as set forth in claim 5, in which said actuatorreturn means is also manually operable to release said actuator fromlocking relation with said member.

7. An alarm control as set forth in claim 5, in which said return meansis manually operable to return said` actuator into, and lock andunlock'the same in, said alarm-off position, and also to release saidactuator from locking relation with said member.

8. An alarm control as set forth in claim- 5, in which said holdingmember is a worm, and said actuator is provided with a tooth adapted formesh with said worm and run-ofi therefrom after said certain driveperiod of said worm. n

9. An alarm control for a time alarm with a timing mechanism, comprisingan alarm actuator movable into and from an alarm-on position andnormally urged into said position; a device for'arresting said actuatorin an alarm-o position away from said alarm-on position; presettablealarm-time means adapted to be operated by said timing mechanism torelease said actutor from arrest'by said device at the preset alarm timeand to condition said device -a predetermined time period thereafter forarresting said actuator in said alarm-off position only; `a holdingmember adapted to be constantiy driven by said timing device; and manualmeans for moving said actuator from said alarm-onl position into lockingrelation with said member for release therefrom for return to saidalarm-on position after a certain drive period of said member, saidactuator being in` said alarm-od position when in locking engagementwith said member.

l0. An alarm control as set forth in claim 9, further comprising meansmanually operable to release said actuator from locking relation withsaid member.

ll. An alarrnxcontrol as set forth in claim 9, further comprising meansmanually operable to return said actu ator into, and lock and unlock thesame in, said kalarmoff position, and also to release said actuator fromlocking relation with said member. f

12. An alarm control for a time alarm with a timing mechanism,comprising a supportplate; an alarm actuator having afulcrum resting onsaid plate for rocking motion of said actuator into and from a iirstposition as well as for sliding movement of the same on said plate inany direction into an alarm-on position and into second and thirdalarm-eti? positions, with said actuator norrrially urged against saidplate and into said alarm-on position; means operative to arrest saidactuator only when in both, said first and second positions; presettablealarm time means, adapted to -be operated by said timing mechanism andincluding a part moved toward and away from said plate with saidactuator in follower relation therewith, for rocking said actuator fromsaid first position at the ypreset alarm time and into said rst positiona predetermined time period thereafter; a holding member adapted to bedriven by said timing device; manual means for sliding said actuatorfrom said alarm-on position into said third position in which it is inlocking relation with saidgmember for release therefrom for return tosaid alarm-on position after a certain drive period of said member; andmeans operable to return said actuator to said second position. f

13. An alarm control as set forth in claim 12, in which said holdingmember is an axially slidable worm having its rotary axis extendingtransversely of said plate and being yieldingly urged toward the latter,and said actuator 1 l has a tooth adapted to mesh with said worm andforce it away from said plate for its run-'oli from said worm after saidcertain drive period thereof.

14. An alarm control for a time alarm with a timing mechanism,comprising a support plate; a longitudinal alarm actuator having alongitudinal fulcrum resting on said plate for rocking motion thereon ofsaid actuator into and from a first position, said fulcrum having nearone end thereof a iioating universal connection with said plate forsliding movement in any direction of said actuator in any of its rockingpositions into an alarm-on position and into second and third alarm-oitpositions, with said actuator being normally urged against said plateand into said alarm-on position; means operative to arrest said actuatoronly when in both, said first and second positions; presettable alarmtime means, adapted to be operated by said timing mechanism andincluding a part moved toward and away from said plate with Saidactuator in follower relation therewith, for rocking said actuator fromsaid rst position at the preset alarm time and into said iirst positiona predetermined time period thereafter; a holding member adapted to bedriven by said timing mechanism; manual means for moving said actuatorfrom said alarm-on position into said third position in which it is inlocking relation with said member for release therefrom for return tosaid alarm-011 position after a certain drive period of said member; andmeans operable to return said actuator to said second position.

l5. An alarm control as set forth in claim 14, in which said floatinguniversal connection is provided by a detent on said fulcrum and a slotin said plate into which said detent projects with clearance in any ofsaid actuator positions.

16. An alarm control as set forth in claim 14, in which said actuator'returning means is a plunger axially reciprocable transversely of saidplate into and from the iloat path of said floating universal connectionof said fulcrum with said plate for camming said actuator from either ofsaid third position and alarm-on position toward and into said secondposition and for releasing the same in any of its cammed positions,respectively.

17. An alarm control for a time alarm with a timing mechanism,comprising a support plate; a longitudinal alarm actuator having alongitudinal fulcrum resting on said plate for rocking motion thereon ofsaid actuator into and from a first position, said fulcrum having nearone end thereof a linearly floating universal connection with said platefor sliding movement on the latter in any direction and about saidconnection lof said actuator in any of its rocking positions, and saidactuator being slidable in the floating direction of said connectioninto alarm-on and alarm-off positions and normally urged against saidplate and into said alarm-on position; means operative to arrest saidactuator only when in both, said rst and alarm-ofi positions;presettable alarm time means, adapted to be operated by said timingmechanism and including a part mfoved toward and away from said platewith said actuator in follower relation therewith, for rocking saidactuator from said first position at the preset alarm time and into saidfirst position a predetermined time period thereafter; a holding memberadapted to be driven by said timing mechanism; manual means for slidingsaid actuator from said alarm-on position simultaneously toward saidalarm-oit position and laterally of said floating direction into lockingrelation with said member for release therefrom for return to saidalarm-on position after a certain drive period of said member; and meansoperable to return said actuator to said alarm-ott position.

18. An alarm control as set forth in claim 17, in which said manualmeans is an element guided on said plate for movement in a directioninclined to said floating direction and normally yieldingly retractedand projectible into engagement with said actuator for its movement fromalarm-ofi position into locking relation with said member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,133,052 B'orgfeldt Oct. 18, 1938 2,216,523 Schlenker Oct. 1, 19402,541,817 Gordon Feb. 13, 1951 2,721,441 Boyles Oct. 25, 1955

